Today, earning a living usually means going into an office and spending eight hours chained to a desk as you go about your daily responsibilities. This is in stark contrast to a few centuries ago, when people earned by working in factories or doing manual labor. However, as technology has continued to develop, many are increasingly pursuing so-called “white-collar” jobs, where work is primarily done at a desk.
Such long hours spent sitting can have numerous negative effects on both the body and the mind. It is common for people to come home from work incredibly exhausted, despite having done no physically strenuous activities. It is also not surprising to see people tired and groggy at work, in addition to being unfocused and unproductive.
Because of this, innovations have been made to try to make the office more conducive to working. One such innovation is the introduction of standing desks.
Standing desks allow you to work while standing, in contrast to ordinary desks that are built to be seated. A standing desk is adjustable according to your height. This ergonomic design allows you to work comfortably, free from the aches, pains, and strains that normally result from sitting continuously for long periods of time.
Here are some good reasons to use a standing desk at work:
Better posture and health
Sitting is quite bad for your health. Given that you spend hours slouched forward, your neck, back, and shoulders are put under great stress and pressure. This explains why many times we feel great body pain after long periods of sitting down.
Beyond posture, however, sitting has also been found to have numerous negative effects on our health. According to studies, when you sit down, electrical activity in the leg muscles shuts off, and the enzymes that break down fat are drastically reduced. In the long run, prolonged sitting can also increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes, as well as affect cognitive function.
Having a standing desk allows you to improve your posture by keeping your body straight as you work. You also get to move your body around a lot more, ensuring that your muscles do not slacken and thus keeping you in good health. This goes a long way towards improving your mental and emotional well-being as well.
Greater mobility
If you were seated at a desk and you wanted to go to the toilet or grab a drink, you would have to push your chair outwards and stand up first. If you have been sitting for a long time, this might even be a painful or jolting action. As a result, you are discouraged from moving around, which is definitely bad for your health.
Standing desks allow you to pace and walk around at your own whim. If you wish to walk to the other side of the office, all you have to do is start moving. The lack of physical barriers also helps you get some stretching or small movements done in place. Even if these seem like small things, they can go a long way for good health.
Increased productivity
Because sitting is normally associated with resting, while standing usually means proactive work, companies that have installed standing desks in their offices saw their productivity and efficiency go up. Moreover, their workers were more energized and happy while at work. If you long for this same feeling and want to say goodbye to lethargy and tiredness in the workplace, then the standing desk is the perfect solution.
